Arthur Russell and sqaud, 4th Marine Regiment. Eleven marines in two ranks wearing khaki shirts; trousers; and leggings; and campaign hats. Arthur Russell is in the first row, far left wearing a canvas belt.Arthur Russell Was born in Oshkosh, WI on October 30, 1878. His parents were Joseph and Delia Russell. Their names appear in no city directories or County records. Following Joseph's death, Delia married Patrick McNamee of Rosendale, WI. He was a blacksmith and Civil War veteran from Illinois. Arthur enlisted in the Army during the Spanish American War and served in the #20 Pack Train, Quartermaster Department as a Teamster in Puerto Rico. Following the war, he worked in lumber camps in northern Wisconsin. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Bemidge, ME on Feb. 20, 1906. According to his obituary he was in the Great White Fleet that sailed around the world from 1907-1909. He may have also been a member of Company A, 2nd Regiment United States Marines stationed in the Philipines in 1908 (see photographs). He re-enlisted in 1910 and again in 1914. He qualified as Sharpshooter in 1908 and Expert Rifleman in 1911. He was promoted to Corporal in 1912, Sergeant 1914, and Gunnery Sergeant in 1916. He served onboard the USS Washington in 1911; and the USS Rhode Island in 1912 as 1st Gun Pointer. He saw action in the Nicaraguan Campaign 1912; the Panama Campaign 1912; the Nicaraguan Expeditionary Force in 1913 and engaged in two battles; and Santa Domingo in 1916 as part of the 26th Company, 4th Marine Regiment. In 1917 he was a Drill Instructor for new recruits at Quantico, VA and later assigned to the 49th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Brigade, 2nd Division in World War I. His unit arrived in France in January 1918, and he was killed in action during the bloodiest day in Marine Corps history to that date, at Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918. His company and one other company assaulted Hill 142 and captured it from the Germans prior to the assault on the woods. His body was burried in France, but reinterred at Riverside Cemtery in 1921.

Object ID

P2003.17.16

Object Name

Postcard, Photographic

People

Russell, Arthur

Place

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Print size

3.5" x 5.5"

Subjects

SoldiersMarines (Military personnel)United States Marine Corps

Title

Arthur Russell and sqaud, 4th Marine Regiment

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ For access to this image, contact scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us